1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us
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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience
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4
as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearful
Exposing teeth is an indication that your dog is fearful or angry.
—
Dawn Kovell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
The problem has always been that while Black people were dreaming of a brighter day, white America was always fearful of any real progress.
—Kevin A. Slayton Sr, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Superficially courteous and casually racist, Jimmer is an old school authority figure, from his wide-brimmed hat to his work boots, and he’s presented as a fearful impediment to Marshall’s mission right from the jump.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Traveling to England, he was incarcerated by a government fearful of seeing their monarchy overthrown at home as abroad.
—Matthew Redmond
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Dawn Kovell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
The problem has always been that while Black people were dreaming of a brighter day, white America was always fearful of any real progress.
—Kevin A. Slayton Sr, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Superficially courteous and casually racist, Jimmer is an old school authority figure, from his wide-brimmed hat to his work boots, and he’s presented as a fearful impediment to Marshall’s mission right from the jump.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Traveling to England, he was incarcerated by a government fearful of seeing their monarchy overthrown at home as abroad.
—Matthew Redmond
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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In his first-ever manuscript, the 19-year-old English major imagined a terrifying dystopian death game.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
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The first movie revolved around a bride’s (Weaving) wedding night which takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This isn’t a timid little girl walking into a wedding night with Joffrey.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
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In many ways, this was pretty much the ideal day after the timid 1-0 defeat to promoted Leeds United on Monday.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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In July, intense rains inundated the Phoenix area, flooding roadways and leaving drivers stranded.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Lastly, if the campaign performance isn’t meeting expectations, don’t be afraid to ask for a brainstorming session in person or on video if email communication just isn’t cutting it.—
Nandini Sankara,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Those were people who grew up afraid of anything or anyone different from them.—
Pat Blashill,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s project has emboldened ICE agents in frightening ways, too.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
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Her treatment began on May 20, 2024 at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, Indiana, but immediately took a frightening turn.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Residents recount a scary night and a quiet Chapman.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
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In the story, lots of animals go through scary experiences, but each reacts differently and has its own way of coping.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Landing after months of public sparring between county leaders and the governor, the letter signaled the start of an intensive review that would put nearly every corner of county government under Tallahassee’s microscope.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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In the era of intensive parenting, vacation has turned into something that many parents need a vacation from.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Investigators believe other potential victims may be too frightened to report similar attacks.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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School staff gathered the students in the cafeteria during the lockdown and tried to keep the frightened kids calm, said a school employee who refused to give an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter their name.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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